Crossing signal



July 3, 1928. 1.675997 J. T. TULLI$ CROSSING SIGNAL Filed July 12, 1926 (ZZYTZLZZZ'S Snow M01,

Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED stares PATENT OFFICE.

'I'O JAMES A. PLOTNER,

OF EL DORADO, ARKANSAS.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

Application filed July 12, 1826.

, This invention relates to a crossing signal for use along railways, one of the objects being to provide a simple and efficient device which can be actuated by the lighting circuit of a train approaching the crossing, means being employed whereby a circuit will be established from the approaching train to the signal device of the apparatus as soon as the train comes within a predetermined distance from the crossing.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of one of the signals, a portion of the track and the wiring associated being shown in diagram.

Figure 2 is a section through a portion of the track and of a car thereon showing the means for conducting current from the lighting circuit of a train to the rail and conductor wire of one of the signal circuits.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a standard which can be in the form of a strong pipe set in concrete at its lower end and provided, adjacent its upper end, with a laterally extending arm 2 likewise formed of pipe. This arm may be provided with a bracket 3 adjacent the center thereof for supporting a truss wire or rod 4 secured at one end to the outer end portion of the arm 2 and at its other end to the standard 1 as shown.

Suspended from the outer end portion of the arm 2 is a lamp housing 5 the lens 6 of which can be constructed in any manner clesired. It is preferred to paint or otherwise display the word Stop upon the inner surface of the lens so that when the housing is illuminated by means of a red lamp, this word will stand out prominently. A lamp is to be located in the housing but is not shown. An electric hell 7 is arranged on the arm 2 and both the lamp and the bell are electrically connected to wires 8 and 9 arranged in pairs and which are extended rails R and R Serial No. 121,924.

through the arm 2 and the standard 1. The of the track are insulated from each other and extended along the rail It in one direction from the standard is a series of brackets 10 each having a forked lower end 11 adapted to straddle one of the base flanges of the rail. This forked portion can be insulated from the rail in any suitable manner, as by means of an interposed strip 12 of insulating material. The brackets can be attached to the rail by means of any suit able clamping means such as set screws 13 hearin against the insulating strip 12 which serves to hold the screws out of contact with the rails. Each bracket has an arm 14 engaging and supporting a trolley wire 15 located below the top of the rail but close to one side thereof. This trolley wire is electrically connected to the wire 8 of one pair leading into the signal while the rail R is connected to the other wire 9 of said pair.

The rail R is likewise provided with a series of brackets 10 such as already described, this series, however, being extended along rail R in a direction opposite to that in which the brackets on the rail R are extended. A trolley wire 15 is supported close to the rail R by its bracket 10 and is electrically connected to the wire 8 of the second series extending into the standard 1. The wire 9 of said series is electrically connected to the rail R.

The electric lighting circuit of the rail way car has one terminal grounded to the axles and wheels W and, consequently, to the rails R and R. The other terminal of the lighting circuit is electrically connected to a sleeve 17 which is suspended from the car structure by a hanger 18 of insulating material. In this hanger is slidably mounted a plunger 19 carrying a trolley wheel 20. A spring 21 serves to hold the plunger pressed downwardly normally so that when it arrives above one of the wires 15 or 16 the wheel will engage and travel along the Wire.

Ordinarily the lamp in the housing 5 is not lighted. However when a train comes to position where the trolley wheel 20 carried thereby engages one of the wires 15 or 16, a circuit will be completed from the lighting system of the car through the trolley wire to the lamp and bell and thence back through the rail to the car. Conse quently the lamp will be lighted when the train approaches the crossing and the bell 7 will be sounded. In Figure 2 of the drawing the wires leading from the lighting system have been indicated at L.

What is claimed is:

1. In a crossing signal for railways, the combination with a track rail constituting a conductor, of forked brackets for straddling the base flange of the rail, means for insulating the brackets from the rail, means carried by the brackets for binding them to the rail, and atrolley wire carried by the brackets at one side of and at substantially the sanlie level as the top of the head of the rai 2. Ina crossing signal for railways, the

combination with a track rail constituting a conductor. of forked brackets for straddling the base flange of the rail, means for insulatingthe brackets from the rail, means carried by the brackets for binding them to the rail, a trolley wire carried by the brackets at one side of and at substantially the same level as the top of the head of the rail, and a circuit closer including a car wheel for engagement with the rail and a spring pressed contactv element electrically connected to the wheel for moving engagement. with the trolley wire.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

' JOHN T. TULLIS. 

